Organization Mission

The UN Resident Coordinator is the representative of the UN Secretary-General in Tanzania and is responsible for coordinating the work of the UN Tanzania Country Team (UNCT) which consists of 23 UN Agencies.

Context

Tanzania is experiencing significant climate-induced shifts that directly impact its socio-economic pillars, notably agriculture, tourism, and water resource management. As the government and international partners deploy mitigation and adaptation strategies, the digital landscape has introduced a critical vulnerability: the rapid spread of climate-related misinformation and disinformation.
This digital pollution manifests in several ways that actively delay, weaken, or politicize climate solutions. It targets key institutional actors, erodes public trust in scientific consensus, and dilutes the efficacy of community-level interventions. To preserve the legitimacy of climate action, the UNRCO requires a systematic, behavioral science-informed approach to map these narratives and equip local messengers with robust communication frameworks.

The objective of the assignment is to address the digital spread of climate-related misinformation and disinformation, which threatens to undermine public trust and delay critical climate action across key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and water resources.

Key Responsibilities

The assignment is structured over a strict 12-week timeline, divided into three distinct phases. Each phase is designed to build upon the findings of the previous one, culminating in a sustainable knowledge transfer to the UNRCO team.

Phase 1: Rapid Narrative & Stakeholder Mapping (Weeks 1–4)
The initial phase focuses on establishing an empirical baseline of the local misinformation landscape.
Key Activities:
• Conduct a high-level desk review of digital and traditional media sources in Tanzania.
• Validate the specific nature, channels, and prevalence of climate-related misinformation.
• Identify 3 to 5 primary stakeholder groups and vulnerable target audiences.
Phase Deliverable: Rapid Assessment Report (due end of Week 4).

Phase 2: Framework Development (Weeks 5–9)
The second phase translates diagnostic insights into actionable behavioral interventions.
Key Activities:
• Apply behavioral science models (e.g., COM-B, EAST) to design targeted communication interventions.
• Develop strategic re-messaging guidelines and narrative change approaches.
• Identify and profile trusted local messengers to deliver counter-narratives effectively.
Phase Deliverable: Draft Behavioural Communication Framework (due end of Week 9).

Phase 3: Knowledge Transfer & Handover (Weeks 10–12)
The final phase ensures institutional sustainability by equipping the UNRCO team to execute the framework.
Key Activities:
• Synthesize the framework into a highly visual, concise presentation.
• Design and facilitate a virtual capacity-building session for UNRCO staff.
• Draft comprehensive handover notes detailing operational recommendations and next steps.
Phase Deliverables: Presentation, Capacity-Building Session, and Handover Notes (due end of Week 12).

The Online Volunteer will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) in Tanzania, building valuable network connections while learning how to apply behavioral frameworks to real-world UN climate initiatives.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Background:
Advanced degree (or equivalent professional experience) in Behavioral Science, Social Psychology, Strategic Communications, or a closely related field.

Research & Analysis:
Demonstrated experience conducting desk research, qualitative data analysis, and stakeholder/network mapping.
Strong analytical and writing skills in English, with a proven ability to translate complex behavioral theory into highly practical, non-academic recommendations.
Campaign Design:
Proven track record in designing evidence-based communication campaigns or behavioral change interventions.

While the assignment is remote, specific localized knowledge significantly enhances the feasibility and accuracy of the mapped narratives:
Familiarity with the Tanzanian media landscape, local civil society organizations (CSOs), and community networks is a strong asset.
Working knowledge of Swahili is highly advantageous for analyzing local digital discourse and validating localized misinformation trends.